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HERSHEY, Pa., USA — The upcoming major motion picture HERSHEY–about the inspiring true story of founder Milton S. Hershey–has concluded principal photography, wrapping over seven weeks of filming across Hershey’s home state of Pennsylvania.
A film by Mark Waters (Mean Girls), HERSHEY brings to life the powerful story of a man who overcame early failure to build one of the world’s most iconic brands, and whose greatest legacy lies not in chocolate but in his enduring contributions to education, community, and opportunity through Milton Hershey School.
Finn Wittrock (The Big Short) stars as the visionary Milton S. Hershey alongside Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus) as his beloved wife Catherine “Kitty” Hershey. The cast also features Alan Ruck (Succession), Richard Kind (Only Murders in the Building), David Costabile (Billions), Heléne York (The Other Two), Michael Moreland Milligan (Chicago Fire), Francesca Faridany (Manifest), Daniel David Stewart (Catch-22) and Dina Spybey-Waters (Just Like Heaven).
“As we wrap, I feel most grateful to the people of Pennsylvania, who have supported us and actively participated in making this shoot a success,” said Director Mark Waters. “I feel immense pride in what we’ve been able to do here, particularly in the fully committed performances of Finn Wittrock and Alexandra Daddario, who have given their hearts and souls to portray two figures whose legacy still resonates today.”
Key Facts about the HERSHEY production:
- Shot across 17 diverse filming locations in Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, Hershey, Harmony, Smithfield, and Ligonier, with 74 meticulously designed sets to capture the scale of Hershey’s world, from humble beginnings to the creation of a chocolate empire.
- HERSHEY spans nearly five decades of Milton Hershey’s life, from the early 1870s to the late 1910s.
- Alexandra Daddario wore 54 custom-designed costumes throughout the film to reflect Kitty’s iconic fashion and evolving journey across decades.
- In total, HERSHEY features nearly 300 period-accurate principal costumes and over 2,000 background costumes.
- Over 1,500 background actors, primarily from the surrounding Pennsylvania area, contributed to the rich, immersive world, helping to illustrate the growth of the Hershey factory town and the iconic Milton Hershey School.
- Principal photography concluded in June 2025, with post-production now underway.
- The film is planned for release in 2026, to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States.
- Countless thousands of pieces of chocolate were used in production.
HERSHEY is a Dandelion Media production, in collaboration with the Hershey Entities, and in association with Aloe Entertainment, Peachtree Group, and RCM3. The project is produced by Sharon Paul, Mark Tilghman, Mary Aloe, Joshua Harris, and Will Hardy, with executive producers Daniel Hank, Joseph Lanius, Flip and Susan Flippen, and Joanne Marlowe. The screenplay is written by Sharon Paul and Timothy Michael Hayes.
